Tilbury Docks Barrier Refurbishment

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Tilbury Docks Barrier Refurbishment

The Tilbury Docks Barrier is located at the entrance to the Docks, on the north bank of the River Thames and provides flood defence as part of the Thames Tidal defences.

The Thames Estuary 2100 Strategy outlines the need to maintain a tidal defence across the entrance to Tilbury Docks until the year 2050. The dock entrance is used every day by ocean-going vessels and, if the barrier fails, there is no other entrance or exit. Without the barrier, extreme high tides would open and/or overflow the dock mitre gates, causing water levels in the dock to rise and leading to overtopping of the dock walls and flooding of Tilbury which sits in a low basin.

Works were carried out to ensure the barrier is operational until due for replacement.

Minor works, including health and safety improvements, e.g. servicing of existing equipment such as the gear boxes, improvements to the existing lighting, the elimination of trip hazards and repairs to the fabric of the control room.

Prior to Construction

A Pollution Emergency Plan (PEP) was drawn up in advance and agreed with the project team and Environment Agency Environmental Management Officer. It complied with best practice guidance (including PPG1, PPG5, PPG6, PPG13 and PPG21) and Environment Agency requirement

Water pollution prevention measures were set up and emergency response equipment provided prior to start of works, in accordance with PPG6 (Pollution Protection Guidelines)

RAMS included pollution prevention measures and site workers were briefed prior to start of works to ensure that all workers had knowledge of pollution prevention measures and emergency response procedures. Construction works were primarily undertaken when the barrier was in the ‘parked position’ (not over water) to prevent pollution.

Training in the use of pollution prevention and emergency response equipment was provided to the work force. Trial exercises as part of the training were implemented to ensure that if a pollution incident arose. The workforce could implement an emergency response in a timely manner.

During Construction

Construction works complied with BS 5228: 1997 Noise Control and Open sites. Noise assessments regularly implemented on site and RAMS provided details of noise exclusion zones and type of hearing protection to wear. Morning site briefings also provided up to date information regarding noise exclusion zones.

Vehicle and pedestrian movement was controlled by segregation utilising pedestrian barriers. A site plan showed permitted access routes for plant and workforce and regularly updated to reflect the changing work environment.

The site boundary was secured with fencing and locked gates to prevent unauthorised access. The workforce was briefed on safe access and egress arrangements to and from the site.

Minimised storage of materials. Mechanical and electrical equipment was delivered ‘just in time’ and civil materials were delivered and stored in the work areas in such a way as to prevent ground contamination. Waste materials were stored separately in a dedicated area of the site compound.

We complied with the recommendations of the Environment Agency/CIRIA Pollution Prevention Guidelines, UK Legislation and the requirements of PPG21: Pollution Incident Response Planning including, the preparation of a Pollution Incident Response Plan. This meant keeping sufficient spill kits on site at all times so that one could be deployed to any part of the construction site within 15 minutes. These contained absorbent materials, booms for containing spills on water and the means of attaching them to the banks, empty containers for catching leaking fluids and appropriate personal protective equipment. Emergency response procedures with equipment were inducted to all staff on site.

Completed the construction phase Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP), and was signed off by the EA Project Manager.

Used best practice methods to prevent release of silt downstream whilst working in water (booms, silt curtains)